Foldable electronic device including bezel sag preventing structure

ABSTRACT

An electronic device is disclosed. An electronic device may include: a foldable housing including a hinge, a first housing connected to the hinge and including a first surface oriented in a first direction and a second surface oriented in a second direction opposite the first direction, a second housing connected to the hinge and including a third surface oriented in a third direction and a fourth surface oriented in a fourth direction opposite the third direction, wherein the second housing is configured to be folded on the first housing about the hinge, and side surfaces surrounding at least a part of a space between the first surface and the second surface and at least a part of a space between the third surface and the fourth surface; and a display having ductility and extending from the first surface to the third surface to configure the first surface and the third surface, wherein the foldable housing is disposed along an edge of the display and includes bezels extending from respective side surfaces to an active area of the display, and wherein the bezels include, in an area configuring the first surface and the third surface of the foldable housing, extensions spaced apart from edge portions of the display, and support portions disposed between the edge of the display and the extensions to be in contact with the edge portions of the display.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a Continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.16/793,210, filed Feb. 18, 2020 (now U.S. Pat. No. 11,444,260), whichclaims priority to KR 10-2019-0018606, filed on Feb. 18, 2019, theentire contents of which are all hereby incorporated herein by referencein their entireties.

BACKGROUND 1) Field

The disclosure relates to a foldable electronic device including a bezelsag preventing/reducing structure.

2) Description of Related Art

As digital technology develops, electronic devices are being provided invarious mobile devices such as a smartphone, a tablet personal computer(tablet PC), and a personal digital assistant (PDA). Mobile electronicdevices are being developed to improve the mobility and a user'sconvenience. Each of various electronic devices may include a display asa user interface, and a touch-sensitive display is widely used recently.

In addition, in order to ensure the portability, demand for anelectronic device including a foldable display has been increased. Anelectronic device including a foldable display can be used as asmartphone in the folded state and as a large screen tablet PC in theunfolded state, and thus can increase a user's convenience and theusability.

A flexible display may include a substrate and a window which are madeof a ductile material such as polyimide (PI). A flexible display may beused in an unfolded state if a large screen is needed, and may be usedin a folded state if the display is carried or simply and convenientlyused. A display includes a plurality of layers, and thus forces indifferent directions or different sizes may be applied to a displaylayer disposed outside and a display layer disposed inside in a foldedstate of the display. If compressive forces or tensile forces in varioussizes are applied to layers of a display, respectively, the layers mayslip.

If a structure (e.g. bezel) for protecting a display of a flexibleelectronic device sags and comes into contact with the display, thesurface of the display may be damaged, and the slipping of the displaymay cause damage. In addition, moisture or foreign materials may beintroduced through the gap between a protective structure and a displayfor protection of the surface of the display.

A method for preventing and/or reducing damage to the surface of aflexible display and preventing and/or reducing introduction of moistureand foreign materials through the gap between the display and aprotective structure is required.

The above information is presented as background information only toassist with an understanding of the disclosure. No determination hasbeen made, and no assertion is made, as to whether any of the abovemight be applicable as prior art with regard to the disclosure.

SUMMARY

Embodiments of the disclosure provide an electronic device having astructure configured to prevent and/or reduce damage to the surface of adisplay occurring at the time of folding the display, or to preventand/or reduce inward introduction of moisture or foreign materialspassing through a gap between a bezel and the display.

Embodiments of the disclosure provide an electronic device that canmaintain the gap between a display and a bezel and prevent and/or reducea bezel sag according to the use of the electronic device.

An electronic device according to an example embodiment may include: afoldable housing including a hinge, a first housing connected to thehinge and including a first surface oriented in a first direction and asecond surface oriented in a second direction opposite the firstdirection, a second housing connected to the hinge and including a thirdsurface oriented in a third direction and a fourth surface oriented in afourth direction opposite the third direction, wherein the secondhousing is configured to be folded on the first housing about the hinge,and side surfaces surrounding at least a part of a space between thefirst surface and the second surface and at least a part of a spacebetween the third surface and the fourth surface; and a display havingductility and extending from the first surface to the third surface toconfigure the first surface and the third surface, wherein the foldablehousing is disposed along an edge of the display and includes bezelsextending from the side surfaces to an active area of the display, andwherein the bezels include, in an area of the first surface and thethird surface of the foldable housing, extensions spaced apart fromedges of the display, and supports disposed between portions of theedges of the display and the extensions to be in contact with the edgesof the display.

An electronic device according to another example embodiment mayinclude: a hinge configured to enable the electronic device to beswitched into a folded state or an unfolded state; a first housingconnected to the hinge and including a first surface oriented in a firstdirection and a second surface oriented in a second direction oppositethe first direction; a second housing connected to the hinge andincluding a third surface oriented in a third direction and a fourthsurface oriented in a fourth direction opposite the third direction,wherein the second housing is configured to be folded on the firsthousing about the hinge; a flexible display configured from the firstsurface to the third surface; a first bracket disposed in a spacebetween the first surface and the second surface configured to support apart of the flexible display; a second bracket disposed in a spacebetween the third surface and the fourth surface configured to support aremaining part of the flexible display; and a bezel including anextension in contact with a part of the first bracket or a part of thesecond bracket and extending toward an edge of the display, and asupport being in contact with the edge of the display.

An electronic device according to various embodiments can prevent and/orreduce damage to the surface of a display, occurring at the time offolding the display, or prevent and/or reduce inward introduction ofmoisture or foreign materials passing through the gap between a bezeland the display.

An electronic device can maintain the gap between a display and a bezeland prevent a bezel sag according to the use of the electronic device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other aspects, features, and advantages of certainembodiments of the present disclosure will be more apparent from thefollowing detailed description, taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example electronic device in anunfolded state according to an embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example electronic device in afolded state according to an embodiment;

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of an example electronic deviceaccording to an embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view illustrating an example stacked structure ofa display according to an embodiment;

FIG. 5A is a diagram illustrating example layers of a display in anunfolded state of an electronic device according to an embodiment;

FIG. 5B is a diagram illustrating example layers of a display, whichhave slipped, in a folded state of an electronic device according to anembodiment;

FIG. 6 is a cross sectional view taken along line A-A′ in FIG. 1illustrating an electronic device according to various embodiments;

FIG. 7 is a cross sectional view taken along line B-B′ in FIG. 1illustrating an electronic device according to various embodiments;

FIG. 8 is a cross sectional view taken along line B-B′ in FIG. 1illustrating an electronic device according to various embodiments;

FIG. 9 is a cross sectional view taken along line B-B′ in FIG. 1illustrating an electronic device according to various embodiments; and

FIG. 10 is a cross sectional view taken along line B-B′ in FIG. 1illustrating an electronic device according to various embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example electronic device in anunfolded (e.g., flat) stat according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is adiagram illustrating the example electronic device in a folded stateaccording to an embodiment. In an embodiment, the electronic device 10may have the flat state or the unfolded state illustrated in FIG. 1 ,the folded state illustrated in FIG. 2 , and an intermediate statebetween the flat state and the folded state. As used herein, the term“folded state” refers to a “fully folded state” unless specificallystated otherwise, and an illustration of the intermediate state in whichthe electronic device 10 is folded with a certain angle will beseparately described.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2 , in an embodiment, the electronic device 10may include a foldable housing 500, a hinge cover 530 that covers afoldable portion of the foldable housing 500, and a flexible or foldabledisplay 100 (hereinafter, abbreviated to the “display 100”) that isdisposed in a space formed by the foldable housing 500. In thisdisclosure, a surface on which the display 100 is disposed is defined asa first surface or a front surface of the electronic device 10. Asurface opposite to the front surface is defined as a second surface ora rear surface of the electronic device 10. A surface that surrounds aspace between the front surface and the rear surface is defined as athird surface or a side surface of the electronic device 10.

In an embodiment, the foldable housing 500 may include a first housingstructure 510, a second housing structure 520 including a sensor area524, a first back cover 580, and a second back cover 590. The foldablehousing 500 of the electronic device 10 is not limited to the form andthe coupling illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 and may be implemented by acombination and/or a coupling of other shapes or parts. For example, inanother embodiment, the first housing structure 510 and the first backcover 580 may be integrally formed with each other, and the secondhousing structure 520 and the second back cover 590 may be integrallyformed with each other.

In the illustrated embodiment, the first housing structure 510 and thesecond housing structure 520 may be disposed on opposite sides of afolding axis (an axis A) and may have substantially symmetrical shapeswith respect to the folding axis A. As will be described below, theangle or distance between the first housing structure 510 and the secondhousing structure 520 may vary depending on whether the electronicdevice 10 is in a flat, folded, or intermediate state. In theillustrated embodiment, unlike the first housing structure 510, thesecond housing structure 520 may additionally include the sensor area524 in which various sensors are arranged, but may have a symmetricalshape in the other area.

In an embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 1 , the first housing structure510 and the second housing structure 520 may form a recess together inwhich the display 100 is received. In the illustrated embodiment, due tothe sensor area 524, the recess may have two or more different widths ina direction perpendicular to the folding axis A.

For example, the recess may have a first width w1 between a firstportion 510 a of the first housing structure 510 that is parallel to thefolding axis A and a first portion 520 a of the second housing structure520 that is formed on the periphery of the sensor area 524 and a secondwidth w2 formed by a second portion 510 b of the first housing structure510 and a second portion 520 b of the second housing structure 520 thatdoes not correspond to the sensor area 524 and that is parallel to thefolding axis A. In this case, the second width w2 may be formed to belonger than the first width w1. In other words, the first portion 510 aof the first housing structure 510 and the first portion 520 a of thesecond housing structure 520 that have asymmetrical shapes may form thefirst width w1 of the recess, and the second portion 510 b of the firsthousing structure 510 and the second portion 520 b of the second housingstructure 520 that have symmetrical shapes may form the second width w2of the recess. In an embodiment, the first portion 520 a and the secondportion 520 b of the second housing structure 520 may have differentdistances from the folding axis A. The widths of the recess are notlimited to the illustrated examples. In various embodiments, the recessmay have a plurality of widths by the form of the sensor area 524 or bythe portions of the first housing structure 510 and the second housingstructure 520 that have asymmetrical shapes.

In an embodiment, at least a part of the first housing structure 510 andthe second housing structure 520 may be formed of metal or non-metalhaving strength selected to support the display 100.

In an embodiment, the sensor area 524 may be formed to have apredetermined area adjacent to one corner of the second housingstructure 520. However, the arrangement, shape, and size of the sensorarea 524 are not limited to the illustrated example. For example, inanother embodiment, the sensor area 524 may be provided in anothercorner of the second housing structure 520 or in any area between anupper corner and a lower corner of the second housing structure 520. Inan embodiment, parts embedded in the electronic device 10 to performvarious functions may be exposed on the front surface of the electronicdevice 10 though the sensor area 524 or through one or more openingsformed in the sensor area 524. In various embodiments, the parts mayinclude various types of sensors. The sensors may include, for example,at least one of a front camera, a receiver, or a proximity sensor.

The first back cover 580 may be disposed on one side of the folding axisA on the rear surface of the electronic device 10 and may have, forexample, a substantially rectangular periphery that is surrounded by thefirst housing structure 510. Similarly, the second back cover 590 may bedisposed on an opposite side of the folding axis A on the rear surfaceof the electronic device 10 and may have a periphery surrounded by thesecond housing structure 520.

In the illustrated embodiment, the first back cover 580 and the secondback cover 590 may have substantially symmetrical shapes with respect tothe folding axis (the axis A). However, the first back cover 580 and thesecond back cover 590 do not necessarily have symmetrical shapes, and inanother embodiment, the electronic device 10 may include the first backcover 580 and the second back cover 590 in various shapes. In anotherembodiment, the first back cover 580 may be integrally formed with thefirst housing structure 510, and the second back cover 590 may beintegrally formed with the second housing structure 520.

In an embodiment, the first back cover 580, the second back cover 590,the first housing structure 510, and the second housing structure 520may form a space in which various parts (e.g., a printed circuit boardor a battery) of the electronic device 10 are disposed. In anembodiment, one or more parts may be disposed or visually exposed on therear surface of the electronic device 10. For example, at least part ofa sub-display 190 may be visually exposed through a first rear area 582of the first back cover 580. In another embodiment, one or more parts orsensors may be visually exposed through a second rear area 592 of thesecond back cover 590. In various embodiments, the sensors may include aproximity sensor and/or a rear camera.

Referring to FIG. 2 , the hinge cover 530 may be disposed between thefirst housing structure 510 and the second housing structure 520 to hideinternal parts (e.g., hinge structures). In an embodiment, the hingecover 530 may be hidden by part of the first housing structure 510 andpart of the second housing structure 520, or may be exposed to theoutside, depending on a state (e.g., a flat state or a folded state) ofthe electronic device 10.

For example, when the electronic device 10 is in a flat state asillustrated in FIG. 1 , the hinge cover 530 may be hidden by the firsthousing structure 510 and the second housing structure 520 and thus maynot be exposed. In another example, when the electronic device 10 is ina folded state (e.g., a fully folded state) as illustrated in FIG. 2 ,the hinge cover 530 may be exposed between the first housing structure510 and the second housing structure 520 to the outside. In anotherexample, when the electronic device 10 is in an intermediate state inwhich the first housing structure 510 and the second housing structure520 are folded with a certain angle, the hinge cover 530 may bepartially exposed between the first housing structure 510 and the secondhousing structure 520 to the outside. However, in this case, the exposedarea may be smaller than that when the electronic device 10 is in afully folded state. In an embodiment, the hinge cover 530 may include acurved surface.

The display 100 may be disposed in the space formed by the foldablehousing 500. For example, the display 100 may be mounted in the recessformed by the foldable housing 500 and may form almost the entire frontsurface of the electronic device 10.

Accordingly, the front surface of the electronic device 10 may includethe display 100, and a partial area of the first housing structure 510and a partial area of the second housing structure 520 that are adjacentto the display 100. The rear surface of the electronic device 10 mayinclude the first back cover 580, a partial area of the first housingstructure 510 that is adjacent to the first back cover 580, the secondback cover 590, and a partial area of the second housing structure 520that is adjacent to the second back cover 590.

The display 100 may refer to a display, at least a partial area of whichis able to be transformed into a flat surface or a curved surface. In anembodiment, the display 100 may include a folding area 103, a first area101 disposed on one side of the folding area 103 (on a left side of thefolding area 103 illustrated in FIG. 1 ), and a second area 102 disposedon an opposite side of the folding area 103 (on a right side of thefolding area 103 illustrated in FIG. 1 ).

The areas of the display 100 illustrated in FIG. 1 are illustrative, andthe display 100 may be divided into a plurality of (e.g., four or more,or two) areas according to a structure or function of the display 100.For example, in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1 , the areas of thedisplay 100 may be divided from each other by the folding area 103 orthe folding axis (the axis A) that extends in parallel to the y-axis.However, in another embodiment, the display 100 may be divided intoareas with respect to another folding area (e.g., a folding areaparallel to the x-axis) or another folding axis (e.g., a folding axisparallel to the x-axis).

The first area 101 and the second area 102 may have substantiallysymmetrical shapes with respect to the folding area 103. However, unlikethe first area 101, the second area 102 may include a notch 104 that iscut according to the presence of the sensor area 524, but in the otherarea, the second area 102 may be symmetric to the first area 101. Inother words, the first area 101 and the second area 102 may each includea portion having a symmetrical shape and a portion having anasymmetrical shape.

Hereinafter, operations of the first housing structure 510 and thesecond housing structure 520 and the areas of the display 100 accordingto states (e.g., a flat state and a folded state) of the electronicdevice 10 will be described.

In an embodiment, when the electronic device 10 is in a flat state(e.g., FIG. 1 ), the first housing structure 510 and the second housingstructure 520 may be arranged to face the same direction while formingan angle of 180 degrees. The surface of the first area 101 of thedisplay 100 and the surface of the second area 102 thereof may face thesame direction (e.g., face away from the front surface of the electronicdevice 10) while forming an angle of 180 degrees. The folding area 103may form the same plane together with the first area 101 and the secondarea 102.

In an embodiment, when the electronic device 10 is in a folded state(e.g., FIG. 2 ), the first housing structure 510 and the second housingstructure 520 may be arranged to face each other. The surface of thefirst area 101 of the display 100 and the surface of the second area 102thereof may face each other while forming a narrow angle (e.g., an anglebetween 0 degrees and 10 degrees). At least part of the folding area 103may form a curved surface having a predetermined curvature.

In an embodiment, when the electronic device 10 is in an intermediatestate (e.g., FIG. 2 ), the first housing structure 510 and the secondhousing structure 520 may be arranged to have a certain angletherebetween. The surface of the first area 101 of the display 100 andthe surface of the second area 102 thereof may form an angle that isgreater than that in the folded state and is smaller than that in theflat state. At least part of the folding area 103 may form a curvedsurface having a predetermined curvature, and the curvature may besmaller than that in the folded state.

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the example electronic deviceaccording to an embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 3 , in an embodiment, the electronic device 10 mayinclude a display unit 20, a bracket assembly 30, a substrate 600, thefirst housing structure 510, the second housing structure 520, the firstback cover 580, and the second back cover 590. In this disclosure, thedisplay unit 20 may be referred to as the display module or the displayassembly.

The display unit 20 may include the display 100 and at least one plateor layer 140 on which the display 100 is mounted. In an embodiment, theplate 140 may be disposed between the display 100 and the bracketassembly 30. The display 100 may be disposed on at least part of onesurface (e.g., an upper surface with respect to FIG. 3 ) of the plate140. The plate 140 may be formed in a shape corresponding to the display100. For example, a partial area of the plate 140 may be formed in ashape corresponding to the notch 104 of the display 100.

The bracket assembly 30 may include a first bracket 410, a secondbracket 420, hinge structures 300 disposed between the first bracket 410and the second bracket 420, the hinge cover 530 that covers the hingestructures 300 when viewed from the outside, and a wiring member 430(e.g., a flexible printed circuit (FPC)) that traverses the firstbracket 410 and the second bracket 420.

In an embodiment, the bracket assembly 30 may be disposed between theplate 140 and the substrate 600. For example, the first bracket 410 maybe disposed between the first area 101 of the display 100 and a firstsubstrate 610. The second bracket 420 may be disposed between the secondarea 102 of the display 100 and a second substrate 620.

In an embodiment, at least a part of the wiring member 430 and the hingestructures 300 may be disposed inside the bracket assembly 30. Thewiring member 430 may be arranged in a direction (e.g., the x-axisdirection) across the first bracket 410 and the second bracket 420. Thewiring member 430 may be arranged in a direction (e.g., the x-axisdirection) that is perpendicular to a folding axis (e.g., the y-axis orthe folding axis A of FIG. 1 ) of the folding area 103 of the electronicdevice 10.

As mentioned above, the substrate 600 may include the first substrate610 disposed at the first bracket 410 side and the second substrate 620disposed at the second bracket 420 side. The first substrate 610 and thesecond substrate 620 may be disposed in a space that is formed by thebracket assembly 30, the first housing structure 510, the second housingstructure 520, the first back cover 580, and the second back cover 590.Parts for implementing various functions of the electronic device 10 maybe mounted on the first substrate 610 and the second substrate 620.

The first housing structure 510 and the second housing structure 520 maybe assembled so as to be coupled to opposite sides of the bracketassembly 30 in the state in which the display unit 20 is coupled to thebracket assembly 30. As will be described herein, the first housingstructure 510 and the second housing structure 520 may slide on theopposite sides of the bracket assembly 30 and may be coupled with thebracket assembly 30.

In an embodiment, the first housing structure 510 may include a firstrotation support surface 512, and the second housing structure 520 mayinclude a second rotation support surface 522 corresponding to the firstrotation support surface 512. The first rotation support surface 512 andthe second rotation support surface 522 may include curved surfaces thatcorrespond to curved surfaces included in the hinge cover 530.

In an embodiment, when the electronic device 10 is in a flat state(e.g., the electronic device 10 of FIG. 1 ), the first rotation supportsurface 512 and the second rotation support surface 522 may cover thehinge cover 530 such that the hinge cover 530 is not exposed, or isexposed to a minimum, on the rear surface of the electronic device 10.Meanwhile, when the electronic device 10 is in a folded state (e.g., theelectronic device 10 of FIG. 2 ), the first rotation support surface 512and the second rotation support surface 522 may rotate along the curvedsurfaces included in the hinge cover 530, such that the hinge cover 530is exposed on the rear surface of the electronic device 10 to themaximum.

The electronic device according to various embodiments may be one ofvarious types of electronic devices. The electronic devices may include,for example, a portable communication device (e.g., a smartphone), acomputer device, a portable multimedia device, a portable medicaldevice, a camera, a wearable device, or a home appliance. According toan embodiment of the disclosure, the electronic devices are not limitedto those described above.

It should be appreciated that various embodiments of the disclosure andthe terms used therein are not intended to limit the technologicalfeatures set forth herein to particular embodiments and include variouschanges, equivalents, or replacements for a corresponding embodiment.With regard to the description of the drawings, similar referencenumerals may be used to refer to similar or related elements. It is tobe understood that a singular form of a noun corresponding to an itemmay include one or more of the things, unless the relevant contextclearly indicates otherwise. As used herein, each of such phrases as “Aor B,” “at least one of A and B,” “at least one of A or B,” “A, B, orC,” “at least one of A, B, and C,” and “at least one of A, B, or C,” mayinclude any one of, or all possible combinations of the items enumeratedtogether in a corresponding one of the phrases. As used herein, suchterms as “1st” and “2nd,” or “first” and “second” may be used to simplydistinguish a corresponding component from another, and does not limitthe components in other aspect (e.g., importance or order). It is to beunderstood that if an element (e.g., a first element) is referred to,with or without the term “operatively” or “communicatively”, as “coupledwith,” “coupled to,” “connected with,” or “connected to” another element(e.g., a second element), the element may be coupled with the otherelement directly (e.g., wiredly), wirelessly, or via a third element.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view illustrating an example stacked structure ofa display according to an embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 4 , in an embodiment, a display 100 may include adisplay module comprising various layers of the display 701 and a window740.

According to an embodiment, the display module 701 may include a firstsubstrate 710 and a display panel 730. The substrate 710 may be a baseplate that may be the basis of forming the display panel 730, and thedisplay panel 730 may be formed on the substrate 710 through a series ofmanufacturing processes. The display panel 730 may include a lightemitting layer 732 including, for example, a plurality of pixels and athin film transistor (TFT) 731 configured to control light of each ofthe pixels.

According to an embodiment, the substrate 710 may be coupled to thedisplay panel 730. According to an embodiment, the substrate 710 mayhave a shape of a plate including opposite surfaces (first surface 711and second surface 712), and for example, may include a material such asplastic having flexibility such as, for example, and without limitation,polyimide (PI).

According to an embodiment, the display panel 730 may include athin-film transistor (TFT) 731 and a light emitting layer 732 includinga plurality of pixels controlled by the TFT 731. The TFT 731 may bedisposed between the light emitting layer 732 and the substrate 710, andlayers of the TFT 731 may be formed on a first surface 711 of thesubstrate 710 through a series of manufacturing processes includingdeposition, patterning, etching, etc. For example, an active layer (orsemiconductor layer) including a semiconductor material such aspolysilicon may be formed on the first surface 711 of the substrate 710,and a gate electrode, a source electrode, and a drain electrode may beformed to drive the active layer. The source electrode may supplyelectrons, and the drain electrode may receive electrons. The gateelectrode may be configured to control transfer of electrons from thesource electrode to the drain electrode. The active layer may beelectrically connected to the source electrode and the drain electrode,and may become a path (or channel) enabling transfer of electrons in amanner similar to a conductor if a voltage equal to or larger than apredetermined magnitude is applied to the gate electrode.

According to an embodiment, the light emitting layer 732 may include anorganic light emitting diode (OLED), and may include an anode, acathode, and an organic material layer formed on the TFT 731 through,for example, evaporation although the anode, the cathode, and theorganic material layer are not illustrated. The anode may be anelectrode emitting holes, the cathode may be an electrode emittingelectrons, and the organic material layer may be disposed between theanode and the cathode. Due to a reaction of the active layer of the TFT731, current may flow in the source electrode, the active layer, and thedrain electrode, and voltage may be applied to the anode and the cathodeof the light emitting layer 732 electrically connected to the TFT 731.Accordingly, electrons emitted from the cathode and holes emitted fromthe anode may be coupled in the organic material layer, and excitonenergy generated from the coupling of the electrons and holes may bereleased in the form of light from the organic material layer. Such alight emitting layer 732 including an OLED may be referred to, forexample, as “an organic light emitting layer”. According to variousembodiments, the light emitting layer 732 may be replaced with a lightemitting element having a structure different from that of an OLED.

According to an embodiment, the TFT 731 may be based, for example, andwithout limitation, on low-temperature polycrystalline silicon (LTPS).According to an embodiment, the TFT 731 may be based, for example, andwithout limitation, on amorphous silicon (a-Si).

According to an embodiment, the panel 730 may include an encapsulationpart 733 preventing and/or reducing the light emitting layer 732 frombeing affected by the outside. Since the organic material layer, theanode, or the cathode included in the light emitting layer 732 may reactwith oxygen or moisture and thus the light emitting layer may lose thelight emission properties, the encapsulation part 733 may prevent and/orreduce invasion of oxygen or moisture into the light emitting layer 732,as a seal preventing and/or reducing exposure of the light emittinglayer 732. According to an embodiment, the encapsulation part 733 mayinclude, for example, and without limitation, a thin film encapsulation(TFE) layer or part.

According to an embodiment, the display panel 730 may further include anoptical layer 734 disposed on the encapsulation part 733. The opticallayer 734 may include a phase retardation layer (or phase retarder) anda polarizing layer (or polarizer) disposed on the phase retardationlayer. If unpolarized light such as solar light is incident into thepanel 730, the unpolarized light passes through the polarizing layer andis then changed into linearly polarized light, and the linearlypolarized light passes through the phase retardation layer and may thenchanged into circularly polarized light depending on the properties ofthe retardation layer. For example, if unpolarized light passes througha 90-degree polarizing layer, the light is changed into 90-degreelinearly polarized light, and if the 90-degree linearly polarized lightpasses through a 45-degree phase retardation layer (e.g., quarter waveplate), the light is changed into 135-degree circularly polarized light.The 135-degree circularly polarized light has a value between 90° and180° that are linear polarization axes, and may vibrate while havingboth X axis and Y axis, that is, the phase of 90° and the phase of 180°.The circularly polarized light does not lie on a particular axis, andmay change the axis while vibrating at a uniform amplitude. According toan embodiment, the phase retardation layer may have the properties of aquarter wave retarder (214 retarder).

According to an embodiment, if solar light is incident into the panel730, at least a part of the light may be reflected by an electrode, etc.included in the panel 730, and the reflection may cause difficulty forscreen recognition. The polarizing layer and the phase retardation layerof the optical layer 734 may prevent and/or reduce light having enteredfrom the outside, from exiting through reflection, so as to increaseoutdoor visibility. For example, 135-degree circularly polarized lightobtained through a change by the phase retardation layer may bereflected by the TFT 731, etc., the reflected 135-degree circularlypolarized light is changed into 180-degree linearly polarized lightthrough the phase retardation layer, and the 180-degree linearlypolarized light is unable to pass through the 90-degree polarizing layerand then be emitted to the outside. According to an embodiment, a singlelayer including the polarizing layer and the phase retardation layerthat are integrated, may be provided, and the single layer may bedefined as “a circular polarizing layer”.

According to various embodiments, the display panel 730 may furtherinclude other various layers that are not illustrated. For example, thedisplay panel 730 may include a buffer layer including silicon oxide,silicon nitride, etc. and disposed between the TFT 731 and the substrate710. For example, the display panel 730 may include a protection layerincluding polymer, etc. and disposed between the buffer layer and thesubstrate 710.

According to various embodiments, the display module 701 may be variousdisplays based on the TFT 731, and may be, for example, and withoutlimitation, an active matrix organic light emitting diode (AMOLED)display, a passive matrix organic light emitting diode (PMOLED) display,a liquid crystal display (LCD), or the like. According to variousembodiments, the display may be disposed on a flexible substrate (e.g.substrate including polyimide (PI)).

According to various embodiments, the window 740 may transferinformation to a user by transferring (or passing), to the outside,light generated from the light emitting layer. The window 740 mayinclude a ductile material such as polyimide (PI). According to anembodiment, the window 740 may include a multi-layer structure includingvarious materials. The window 740 may be coupled to the display module701 to configure a flexible display.

FIG. 5A is a diagram illustrating example layers of a display in anunfolded state of an electronic device according to an embodiment; andFIG. 5B is a diagram illustrating example layers of a display, whichhave slipped, in a folded state of an electronic device according to anembodiment.

Referring to FIGS. 5A and 5B, the display 100 may be disposed in a spaceconfigured by a first housing structure 510, a second housing structure520, and a hinge cover 530. The display 100 may include a ductilematerial and thus may be switched from an unfolded state to a foldedstate by a hinge structure disposed under the hinge cover 530. Thedisplay 100 may be disposed to be supported by a bracket. The bracketmay be surrounded by the first housing structure 510 and the secondhousing structure 520.

According to various embodiments, the display 100 may include a firstsurface 100 a and a second surface 100 b opposite to the first surface100 a, and the display 100 may include a plurality of stacked layers. Asillustrated in FIG. 5A, if the electronic device (e.g. electronic device10 in FIG. 1 ) is in an unfolded state, the layers included in thedisplay 100 may not be deformed. For example, a side surface of a layerconfiguring the first surface 100 a and a side surface of a layerconfiguring the second surface 100 b may coincide with each other.

According to various embodiments, as illustrated in FIG. 5B, if theelectronic device is in a folded state, the layers included in thedisplay 100 may be deformed. For example, each of the plurality oflayers of the display 100 may slip. If the second surface 100 b of thedisplay 100 is fixed by the bracket, the plurality of layers orientedfrom the second surface 100 b to the first surface 100 a may slip. Theslip direction of the plurality of layers included in the display 100may be perpendicular to a folding axis (e.g., axis A) on a surface ofthe display 100.

A layer configuring the first surface 100 a among the plurality oflayers included in the display 100 may have a curvature of a foldingarea in a folded state, and the curvature may be larger than those ofthe other layers. For example, the layer configuring the first surface100 a among the plurality of layers included in the display 100 may havea short radius of curvature, and thus the length of an arc configuring afolding area 103 may be small. The length of a layer configuring thefirst surface 100 a in a first area 101 and a second area 102 extendingfrom the folding area 103, the length being measured in a directionperpendicular to the folding axis (e.g., axis A), may be larger thanthose of the other layers included in the display 100. A layerconfiguring the second surface 100 b among the plurality of layersincluded in the display 100 may have a curvature of a folding area in afolded state, and the curvature may be smaller than those of the otherlayers. For example, the layer configuring the second surface 100 bamong the plurality of layers included in the display 100 may have along radius of curvature, and thus the length of an arc configuring thefolding area 103 may be large. The length of a layer configuring thesecond surface 100 b in the first area 101 and the second area 102extending from the folding area 103, the length being measured in adirection perpendicular to the folding axis (e.g., axis A), may besmaller than those of the other layers included in the display 100.

According to various embodiments, the plurality of layers included inthe display 100 may have individual arcs having different lengths in thefolding area 103, and thus the lengths of the layers in a directionperpendicular to the folding axis in the first area 101 and the secondarea 102 may be different. Layers configuring the first area 101 and thesecond area 102 have different lengths, and thus may slip in a directionperpendicular to the folding axis (e.g., axis A).

FIG. 6 is a cross sectional view of the example electronic device 10taken along line A-A′ in FIG. 1 according to various embodiments.

Referring to FIG. 6 , an electronic device 10 may include a foldablehousing 500 and a display 100. The foldable housing 500 may include afirst housing structure 510 and a second housing structure 520 that canbe rotated by a rotatable hinge structure 536.

According to various embodiments, the first housing structure 510 maysurround a space configured by a first surface 501 oriented in a firstdirection and a second surface 502 oriented in a second directionopposite to the first direction. The first housing structure 510 mayinclude a first rear plate 511 configuring the second surface 502. Afirst side surface member 532 extending from the first rear plate 511 inthe first direction may surround a part of a space between the firstsurface 501 and the second surface 502. An electronic componentconfiguring the electronic device 10 may be disposed in a spaceconfigured between the first surface 501 and the second surface 502. Forexample, a part of the display 100, a printed circuit board (notillustrated), or a first bracket 410 may be disposed in a spaceconfigured by the first housing structure 510.

The first side surface member 532 may extend along a side surface 411 ofthe first bracket 410. The first side surface member 532 may extend tobe bent and make a surface 531 come in contact with an end of the sidesurface 411 of the first bracket 410. The first side surface member 532may include a first bezel 830 that includes a first extension part 832extending from the surface 531 in contact with the end of the sidesurface 411 of the first bracket 410, and a first support portion 833supporting the first extension part 832.

The second housing structure 520 may surround a space configured by athird surface 503 oriented in a third direction and a fourth surface 504oriented in a fourth direction opposite to the third direction. Thesecond housing structure 520 may include a second rear plate 521configuring the fourth surface 504. A second side surface member 542extending from the second rear plate 521 in the third direction maysurround a part of a space between the third surface 503 and the fourthsurface 504. An electronic component configuring the electronic device10 may be disposed in a space configured by the first housing structure510 and a space configured by the second housing structure 520. Forexample, the display 100 or a printed circuit board may be disposed in aspace configured by the first housing structure 510 and the secondhousing structure 520. A second bracket 420 may be disposed in a spaceconfigured by the second housing structure 520.

The second side surface member 542 may extend along a side surface 421of the second bracket 420. The second side surface member 542 may extendto be bent and make a surface 541 come in contact with an end of theside surface 421 of the second bracket 420. The second side surfacemember 542 may include a second bezel 840 that includes a secondextension part 842 extending from the surface 541 in contact with theend of the side surface 421 of the second bracket 420, and a secondsupport portion 843 supporting the second extension part 842.

According to an embodiment, the first bracket 410 may be disposed on thefirst rear plate 511. The end of the side surface 411 of the firstbracket 410 may be in contact with the side surface member 532 of thefirst housing structure 510 and may be fixed by the first rear plate511. The first bracket 410 may be coupled to the first rear plate 511and moved together therewith. The first bracket 410 may be coupled tothe hinge structure 536 and may be rotated by means of the hingestructure 536. The first rear plate 511 may be rotated together with thefirst bracket 410.

The second bracket 420 may be disposed on the second rear plate 521. Theend of the side surface 421 of the second bracket 420 may be in contactwith the side surface member 542 of the second housing structure 520 andmay be fixed by the second rear plate 521. The second bracket 420 may becoupled to the second rear plate 521 and moved together therewith. Thesecond bracket 420 may be coupled to the hinge structure 536 and may berotated by means of the hinge structure 536. The second rear plate 511may be rotated together with the second bracket 410.

The display 100 may be disposed over the first bracket 410 and thesecond bracket 420. For example, the first area 101 of the display 100may be supported by the first bracket 410, and the second area 102 ofthe display 100 may be supported by the second bracket 420. The foldingarea 103 of the display 100 may be disposed at a location correspondingto the hinge structure 536 or the hinge cover 530. For example, thefolding area 103 may be disposed at a connection portion between thefirst bracket 410 and the second bracket 420, and may be supported bythe first bracket 410 and the second bracket 420. A part of an edge ofthe display 100 may be in contact with the first support portion 833 ofthe first bezel 830 and the second support portion 843 of the secondbezel 840. The first support portion 833 of the first bezel 830 and thesecond support portion 843 of the second bezel 840 may occupy a gap (d)between the display 100 and the first bezel 830 or the second bezel 840.The electronic device 10 is configured such that the first supportportion 833 of the first bezel 830 or the second support portion 843 ofthe second bezel 840 is in contact with the display 100, and thus canprevent foreign material from being introduced into the foldable housing500.

According to an embodiment, if the electronic device 10 is in a foldedstate by rotating about the hinge structure 536, the first housingstructure 510 and the second housing structure 520 may be arranged toface each other. For example, the first surface 501 of the foldablehousing 500 may be rotated by the hinge structure 536 and then may facethe third surface 503.

FIG. 7 is a cross sectional view taken along line B-B′ in FIG. 1illustrating an electronic device according to various embodiments; FIG.8 is a cross sectional view taken along line B-B′ in FIG. 1 illustratingan electronic device according to various embodiments; FIG. 9 is a crosssectional view taken along line B-B′ in FIG. 1 illustrating anelectronic device according to various embodiments; and FIG. 10 is across sectional view taken along line B-B′ in FIG. 1 illustrating anelectronic device according to various embodiments.

Referring to FIG. 7 , a first bezel 830 a may include a first extensionpart 832 and a first support portion 833.

According to an embodiment, the first extension part 832 may extend fromthe first side surface member 532 toward the edge of the display 100.The first extension part 832 may be spaced a predetermined distance (d)apart from the display 100. The display 100 and the first extension part832 may be arranged to partially overlap each other. When the firstsurface 501 (see, e.g., FIG. 6 ), at the side of which a user can seethe display 100, is viewed, a part of the edge of the display 100 may behidden by the first extension part 832 of the first bezel 830 a. Thefirst extension part 832 may extend from and be integrated with thefirst side surface member 532. According to various embodiments, thefirst extension part 832 may be manufactured as a separate component. Aseparately manufactured first extension part 832 may be coupled to thefirst side surface member 532. For example, the first extension part 832may be coupled to the first side surface member 532 through bonding orfusing, and the first extension part 832 may be coupled to the firstside surface member 532 through double injection.

According to an embodiment, the first support portion 833 may protrudefrom the first extension part 832 toward the edge of the display 100 tobe in contact with a part of the edge of the display 100. For example,the first support portion 833 may be disposed between the firstextension part 832 and the edge of the display 100 to support the firstextension part 832.

After the manufacture of the electronic device 10, the first bezel 830 amay naturally sag by the use of the device, or may sag by an externalforce. If the first bezel 830 a has sagged, a distal end 835 of thefirst bezel 830 a may come into contact with the display 100, and acorresponding contact portion of the display 100 may be damaged.According to an embodiment, the display 100 including the plurality oflayers may slip by folding of the electronic device 10, and thus thedisplay 100 may have damage (e.g. scratch) due to the slip at a contactportion with the first bezel 830 a. Damage having occurred on thesurface of the display 100 in a folded state by a slip may be recognizedin an unfolded state from the outside.

According to various embodiments, in order to reduce damage that mayoccur on the surface of the display 100 by a slip of the display 100,and prevent and/or reduce an occurrence of the end of a bezel fromcoming into contact with the surface of the display 100 due to saggingof the bezel, the first bezel 830 a may include the first surface part833 protruding from the first extension part 832. The first supportportion 833 may extend from a point where the first extension part 832and the side surface member 532 meet, and may be in contact with a partof the edge of the display 100. The first support portion 833 may not bedisposed on an area where an end 835 of the first extension part 832 ispositioned, and may keep the first extension part 832 and the surface ofthe display 100 spaced apart from each other. The first support portion833 may be in contact with the display 100 in a partial area of thefirst bezel 830 a, to remove a gap between the display 100 and the bezel830 a in the partial area. Foreign material or moisture may beintroduced through a separation space between the first extension part832 and the panel of the display 100. The electronic device 10 mayprevent and/or reduce further introduction of foreign material ormoisture in an area where the display 100 and the first support portion833 contact.

According to various embodiments, in an unfolded state of the electronicdevice 10, a side surface 100 c of the display 100 may be spaced a firstdistance (dA) apart from the side surface 411 of the first bracket 410or the side surface member 532. The first distance (dA) may be largerthan a slip distance (dS). The slip distance (dS) may be the longestdistance in a range in which a slip of the side surface 100 c of theplurality of layers included in the display 100 occurs.

According to an embodiment, the first support portion 833 may be incontact with the surface of the display 100 at a point P1 spaced atleast a second distance (dB) apart from the end 835 of the firstextension part 832 in a direction toward the side surface member 532.For example, the closest distance from an area where the first supportportion 833 and the surface of the display 100 contact, to the end 835of the first extension part 832 may be the second distance (dB). Foranother example, the first bezel 830 a may extend, by the seconddistance (dB), from an area where the first support portion 833 and thesurface of the edge of the display 100 meet, and an extended part may bespaced a predetermined distance (d) from the surface of the display 100.A gap between the surface of the display 100 and the first bezel 830 amay prevent the first bezel 830 a from directly contacting the surfaceof the display 100 and prevent damage to the surface of the display 100due to a contact of the first bezel 830 a.

According to various embodiments, the display 100 may include an activearea (AA) and a nonactive area (NA). The active area (AA) of the display100 may substantially emit light to the outside by a pixel, and thenonactive area (NA) may not have a pixel, or may not emit light to theoutside.

According to various embodiments, in an unfolded state of the electronicdevice, the end 835 of the first bezel 830 may be disposed to be spaceda third distance (dC) apart from the active area (AA) of the display100. In an unfolded state of the electronic device 10, the first bezel830 may not cover the active area (AA) from the outside, and the thirddistance (dC) may be larger than the slip distance (dS) in order toprevent damage to the active area (AA) due to an unintended contact withthe display 100 by the first bezel 830 in a folded state.

According to various embodiments, in an unfolded state of the electronicdevice 10, the side surface 100 c of the display 100 may be spaced bythe first distance (dA). If the electronic device 10 is switched into afolded state, the side surface 100 c of the display 100 may slip towardthe side surface member 532 by the slip distance (dS). The firstdistance (dA) is larger than the slip distance (dS) and thus can preventthe side surface 100 c of the display 100 from coming into contact withthe side surface member 532 and then be damaged. Each of the layers ofthe side surface 100 c of the display 100 may be exposed, but anotherside surface may include a flexible printed circuit board (e.g.chip-on-film (COF)) connected to a display drive circuit (display driveintegrated circuit (DDI)). If there is an additional component extendingfrom the side surface 100 c, the first distance (dA) from the displayside surface 100 c to the side surface member 532 or the side surface411 of the first bracket 410 may be determined in consideration of thesize of the component.

In an unfolded state of the electronic device 10, the point P1 of thefirst support portion 833 contacting the surface of the display 100 maybe disposed to be spaced the second distance (dB) apart from the end 835of the first bezel 830 a. If the electronic device 10 is switched into afolded state, the display 100 may slip, and the point P1 of the firstsupport portion 833 contacting the surface of the display 100 may bemoved by the slip distance (dS) from a point P2.

According to various embodiments, in a folded state of the electronicdevice 10, an area where the first bezel 830 a and the display 100overlap may be increased due to a slip of the display 100 by an area(AS). For example, the area (AS) of the display 100 may be an area bywhich the display further enters under the first bezel 830 a by a slipof the display 100, and may correspond to the slip distance (dS). Thearea (AS) may be not recognized from the outside due to the first bezel830 a in a folded state of the electronic device 10, but the area may berecognized from the outside in an unfolded state of the electronicdevice 10. If the second distance (dB) is smaller than the slip distance(dS), the point P2 of the surface of the display 100 contacting thefirst support portion 833 may be recognized from the outside in anunfolded state of the electronic device 10. Even if the material of thefirst support portion 833 has a surface hardness smaller than that ofthe display 100, there may be a fine scratch. Therefore, the seconddistance (dB) may be larger than the slip distance (dS) so that thepoint P2 of the surface of the display 100 contacting the first supportportion 833 is hidden by the first bezel 830 a.

According to various embodiments, in a folded state of the electronicdevice 10, a distance (dC) from the end 835 of the first bezel 830 tothe active area (AA) may be smaller, as much as the slip distance (dS),than that of an unfolded state toward the active area (AA) withreference to the display 100. The first bezel 830 of the electronicdevice 10 according to various embodiments is spaced a predetermineddistance (d) apart from the surface of the display 100, but the firstbezel may temporarily contact the surface of the display 100 by anexternal force or deformation. If the third distance (dC) is smallerthan the slip distance, damage due to a contact with the surface of thedisplay 100 may occur. For example, in a folded state of the electronicdevice 10, the end 835 of the first bezel 830 may be closer, as much asthe slip distance (dS), to the active area (AA), than in an unfoldedstate. A position at which the surface of the display 100 and the firstbezel 830 can contact may be also closer, as much as the slip distance,to the active area (AA). If the third distance (dC) is smaller than theslip distance (dS), the surface of the active area (AA) of the display100 may be also damaged. If the third distance (dC) is larger than theslip distance (dS), the surface of the active area (AA) of the display100, which substantially displays information through the display 100,may be protected from being damaged.

The electronic device 10 according to various embodiments has beendescribed as an in-folding type in which the first surface and the thirdsurface of the display 100 face each other in a folded state, but theelectronic device 10 may be an out-folding type electronic device, theouter appearance of which is configured by the first surface and thethird surface of the display 100 in a folded state.

As described above, in a folded state of the electronic device 10 havingan in-folding type, the slip distance of a layer disposed close to thefirst surface or the third surface may be large. On the other hand, in afolded state of the electronic device 10 having an out-folding type, theslip distance of a layer disposed far away from the first surface or thethird surface may be large.

Referring to FIGS. 7, 8, 9, and 10 , the various support portions mayhave various shapes.

According to an embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 7 , the first bezel830 a may include the first extension part 832 and the first supportportion 833 protruding from the first extension part 832, and the firstextension part 832 and the first support portion 833 may be integrallyconfigured.

According to various embodiments, as illustrated in FIG. 8 , a firstbezel 830 b may include a first extension part 832 b and a first supportportion 833 b disposed along a part of a surface of the first extensionpart 832 b, which is oriented toward the display 100. The firstextension part 832 b may have an inclined surface oriented toward thedisplay 100. The support portion 833 b may be disposed around a point(e.g. point P1 in FIG. 7 ) of the first bezel 830 b contacting thesurface of the display 100. The first support portion 833 b may includea material, such as sponge, having a hardness less than a hardness ofthe surface of the display 100. The first support portion 833 b may bedisposed between the surface of the display and a structure while beingin contact therewith or being compressed. Foreign material introducedthrough a gap between the surface of the display 100 and the first bezel830 b may be blocked by the first support portion 833 b compressedbetween the surface of the display 100 and the structure. The firstsupport portion 833 b may be inclined to allow a slip of the display100. The surface of the first support portion 833 b may include amaterial, such as, for example, and without limitation, Teflon tape,PET, a polyurethane (PU) sheet, or the like, having small coefficient offriction, to facilitate a slip of the display 100. According to variousembodiments, the first distance (e.g. first distance (dA) in FIG. 7 ),the second distance (e.g. second distance (dB) in FIG. 7 ), and thethird distance (e.g. third distance (dC) in FIG. 7 ) described withreference to FIG. 7 may be applied to the first bezel 830 b in FIG. 8 inthe same way. For example, a first distance (dA) from the side surfaceof the display panel 100 to a first side surface member or the sidesurface 411 of the first bracket 410 may be larger than a slip distance(e.g. slip distance (dS) in FIG. 7 ). A second distance (dB) from apoint where the surface of the display 100 and the first support portion833 b contact, to an end of the first extension part 832 b may be largerthan the slip distance (dS). A third distance (dC) from the end of thefirst extension part 832 b to the active area of the display 100 may belarger than the slip distance (dS).

According to various embodiments, a first bezel 830 c in FIG. 9 mayinclude a first support portion 833 c disposed in a first extension part832 c. The first support portion 833 c may be attached to a seatinggroove 834 disposed on the first extension part 832 c. The first supportportion 833 c may include a material, such as, for example, and withoutlimitation, silicone, urethane, liquid silicone rubber (LSR), or thelike, having elasticity. The first support portion 833 c may beconfigured in a method of bonding the first support portion 833 c formedthrough double injection, to the seating groove 834 of the firstextension part 832 c. A support portion comprising liquid siliconerubber may be formed, for example, through liquid injection molding(LIM) of heating and hardening liquid rubber.

The first support portion 833 c may be received in the seating groove834 disposed on the first extension part 832 c, and may include aprotrusion part 854 at least partially protruding toward the surface ofthe display. The protrusion part 854 may be in contact with at least apart of the surface of the display 100, and may keep a gap with thefirst bezel 830 c including the first extension part 832 c. Theprotrusion part 854 may prevent and/or reduce damage to the surface ofthe display 100 by keeping a gap with the first bezel 830 c, and mayprevent and/or reduce introduction of foreign material or moisturethrough a separation space by contacting the surface of the display 100.The protrusion part 854 may facilitate occurrence of a slip and preventand/or reduce damage to the surface of the display 100 by minimizingand/or reducing a contact area with the surface of the display 100.

According to various embodiments, the first distance (e.g. firstdistance (dA) in FIG. 7 ), the second distance (e.g. second distance(dB) in FIG. 7 ), and the third distance (e.g. third distance (dC) inFIG. 7 ) described with reference to FIG. 7 may be applied to the firstbezel 830 c in FIG. 9 in the same way. For example, a first distance(dA) from the side surface of the display 100 to the first side surfacemember 532 or the side surface 411 of the first bracket 410 may belarger than a slip distance (e.g. slip distance (dS) in FIG. 7 ). Asecond distance (dB) from a point where the surface of the display 100and the first support portion 833 c contact, to an end of the firstextension part 832 c may be larger than the slip distance (dS). A thirddistance (dC) from the end of the first extension part 832 c to theactive area of the display 100 may be larger than the slip distance(dS).

Referring to FIG. 10 , a first bezel 830 d may include a first extensionpart 832 d and a coating layer 833 d. The first extension part 832 d mayinclude an area spaced apart from the surface of the display 100 and anarea in contact with the surface of the display 100. The area spacedapart from the surface of the display 100 may extend from an end of thefirst extension part 832 d toward the edge of the display 100. The areain contact with the surface of the display 100 may be configured in anedge area of the display 100. The first bezel 830 d may include anextension part and a support portion as the first bezel 830 a in FIG. 7. The support portion of the first bezel 830 d may be configured to fitsmoothly with the surface of the extension part. The coating layer 833 dmay be disposed along the surface of the support portion and the surfaceof the extension part of the first bezel 830 d.

As described above, in the electronic device according to variousembodiments, the coating layer 833 d is disposed on a surface of thefirst bezel 830 d, which is oriented toward the surface of the display100, so that the display 100 can easily slip. The coating layer 833 dmay include a material, such as, for example, and without limitation,Teflon coating, PET, a PU sheet, or the like, having low coefficient offriction. The first extension part 832 d of the first bezel 830 d mayoccupy a gap between the first bezel 830 d and the surface of thedisplay 100. The coating layer 833 d may prevent and/or reduce foreignmaterial or moisture from being introduced through a separation spacebetween the first bezel 830 d and the display 100.

According to various embodiments, the first distance (e.g. firstdistance (dA) in FIG. 7 ), the second distance (e.g. second distance(dB) in FIG. 7 ), and the third distance (e.g. third distance (dC) inFIG. 7 ) described with reference to FIG. 7 may be applied to the firstbezel 830 d in FIG. 10 in the same way. For example, a first distance(dA) from the side surface of the display panel 100 to the first sidesurface member 532 or the side surface 411 of the first bracket 410 maybe larger than a slip distance (e.g. slip distance (dS) in FIG. 7 ). Asecond distance (dB) from a point where the surface of the display 100and the coating layer 833 d applied to the first extension part 832 dcontact, to an end of the first extension part 832 d may be larger thanthe slip distance (dS). A third distance (dC) from the end of the firstextension part 832 d to the active area of the display 100 may be largerthan the slip distance (dS).

In relation to an electronic device according to various embodiments, astructure of a first support portion (e.g. first support portion 833 inFIG. 6 ) designed to fill a gap between a first bezel (e.g. bezel 830 inFIG. 6 ) and the surface of a display 100 has been described, but asecond bezel (e.g. second bezel 840 in FIG. 6 ) may also include a firstsupport portion like the first bezel.

An electronic device 10 according to various embodiments includes afirst support portion 833 and a second support portion 843 and thus canprevent and/or reduce a first bezel (e.g. first bezel 830 in FIG. 6 )and a second bezel (e.g. second bezel 840 of FIG. 6 ) from coming intocontact with the surface of a display 100. The first support portion 833and the second support portion 843 can prevent and/or reduceintroduction of foreign material or moisture through a separation space,by contacting the surface of the display 100 and the first bezel and thesecond bezel. The first support portion 833 and the second supportportion 843 may include a material having a low coefficient of friction,and thus can prevent and/or reduce damage to the surface of the display100 at the time of shear behavior due to a slip of the display 100.

An electronic device (e.g. electronic device 10 in FIG. 1 ) according tovarious example embodiments as described above may include: a foldablehousing (e.g. foldable housing 500 in FIG. 1 ) including a hinge (e.g.hinge structure 536 in FIG. 6 ), a first housing (e.g. first housingstructure 510 in FIG. 1 ) connected to the hinge and including a firstsurface (e.g. first surface 501 in FIG. 6 ) oriented in a firstdirection and a second surface (e.g. second surface 502 in FIG. 6 )oriented in a second direction opposite the first direction, a secondhousing (e.g. second housing structure 520 in FIG. 1 ) connected to thehinge and including a third surface (e.g. third surface 503 in FIG. 6 )oriented in a third direction and a fourth surface (e.g. fourth surface504 in FIG. 6 ) oriented in a fourth direction opposite the thirddirection, wherein the second housing is configured to be folded on thefirst housing about the hinge, and side surfaces (e.g. first sidesurface member 532 or second side surface member 542 in FIG. 6 )surrounding at least a part of a space between the first surface and thesecond surface and at least a part of a space between the third surfaceand the fourth surface; and a display (e.g. display 100 in FIG. 1 )having ductility and extending from the first surface to the thirdsurface to configure the first surface and the third surface, whereinthe foldable housing is disposed along an edge of the display andincludes bezels (e.g. first bezel 830 in FIG. 6 ) extending from theside surfaces to an active area of the display, wherein the bezelsinclude, in an area configuring the first surface and the third surfaceof the foldable housing, extensions (e.g. first extension part 832 orsecond extension part 842 in FIG. 6 ) spaced apart from edge portions ofthe display, and support portions (e.g. first support portion 833 orsecond support portion 843 in FIG. 6 ) disposed between the edge of thedisplay and the extensions to be in contact with the edge portions ofthe display.

According to various example embodiments, in an unfolded state of theelectronic device, the side surfaces may be spaced apart from sidesurfaces of the display by a first distance (e.g. first distance (dA) inFIG. 7 ), and the first distance may be greater than a slip distance(e.g. slip distance (dS) in FIG. 7 ) of the display.

According to various example embodiments, the support portions may be incontact with the display at least a second distance (e.g. seconddistance (dB) in FIG. 7 ) from ends of the extensions toward the sidesurfaces, and the second distance may be greater than the slip distanceof the display.

According to various example embodiments, the support portions mayprotrude toward a surface of the display with reference to theextensions.

According to various example embodiments, edges of the extensions may bespaced apart from an edge of the active area (e.g. active area (AA) inFIG. 7 ) of the display.

According to various example embodiments, the extensions may maintain agap with the display in the first direction in an unfolded state or afolded state of the electronic device.

According to various example embodiments, the extensions may beintegrally configured with the support portions.

According to various example embodiments, the support portions may bedisposed along parts of surfaces of the extensions which face thedisplay.

According to various example embodiments, a surface of each of thesupport portions may include a material having a hardness less than ahardness of a surface of the display.

According to various example embodiments, parts of the surfaces of theextensions may be inclined with reference to a surface of the display.

According to various example embodiments, each of the support portionsmay include Teflon tape, PET, a PU sheet, or sponge.

According to various example embodiments, the support portions maycomprise a material different from a material of the extensions, andeach of the support portions may include a material having a hardnessless than a hardness of a surface of the display.

According to various example embodiments, each of the support portionsmay be double injection molded or bonded.

According to various example embodiments, surfaces of the supportportions may be configured to fit smoothly with surfaces of theextensions, and the electronic device may include coating layers (e.g.coating layer 833 d in FIG. 10 ) disposed on the surfaces of anextension and a corresponding support portion, and the surfaces of otherextensions and the other support portions.

An electronic device (e.g. electronic device 10 in FIG. 6 ) according tovarious example embodiments may include: a hinge (e.g. hinge structure531 in FIG. 6 ); a first housing (e.g. first housing structure 510)connected to the hinge and including a first surface (e.g. first surface501 in FIG. 6 ) oriented in a first direction and a second surface (e.g.second surface 502 in FIG. 6 ) oriented in a second direction oppositethe first direction; a second housing (e.g. second housing structure 520in FIG. 6 ) connected to the hinge, and including a third surface (e.g.third surface 503 in FIG. 6 ) oriented in a third direction and a fourthsurface (e.g. fourth surface 504 in FIG. 6 ) oriented in a fourthdirection opposite the third direction, wherein the second housing isconfigured to be folded on the first housing about the hinge; a flexibledisplay (e.g. display 100 of FIG. 6 ) extending from the first surfaceto the third surface; a first bracket (e.g. first bracket 410 in FIG. 6) disposed in a space between the first surface and the second surfacesupporting a portion of the flexible display; a second bracket (e.g.second bracket 420 in FIG. 6 ) disposed in a space between the thirdsurface and the fourth surface supporting a remaining portion of theflexible display; and a bezel (e.g. first bezel 830 or second bezel 840in FIG. 6 ) including an extension (e.g. first extension part 832 inFIG. 6 or second extension part 842 in FIG. 6 ) in contact with aportion of the first bracket or a portion of the second bracket andextending toward an edge portion of the display, and a support portion(e.g. first support portion 833 or second support portion 843 in FIG. 6) being in contact with the edge portion of the display.

According to various example embodiments, in an unfolded state of theelectronic device, side surfaces of the brackets may be spaced apartfrom side surfaces of the display by a first distance (e.g. firstdistance (dA) in FIG. 7 ), and the first distance may be greater than aslip distance (e.g. slip distance (dS) in FIG. 7 ) of the display.

According to various example embodiments, the support portion may be incontact with the display at least a second distance (e.g. seconddistance (dB) in FIG. 7 ) from an end of the extension part toward aside surface member, and the second distance may be greater than theslip distance of the display.

According to various example embodiments, the extension may maintain agap with the display in the first direction in an unfolded state or afolded state of the electronic device.

According to various example embodiments, the support portion mayprotrude toward a surface of the display.

According to various example embodiments, a surface of the supportportion may be configured to fit with a surface of the extension, andthe electronic device may include a coating layer (e.g. coating layer833 d in FIG. 10 ) disposed on the surface of the extension and thesurface of the support portion.

In the various example embodiments of the disclosure described above,the elements included in the disclosure have been represented singularor plural in accordance with the example embodiments shown. It should beunderstood, however, that the singular or plural representations areselected appropriately according to the situations presented for theconvenience of description, and the disclosure is not limited to thesingular or plural elements, and may include a plurality of elementseven if they are expressed.

While the disclosure has been illustrated and described with referenceto various example embodiments, it is to be understood that the exampleembodiments are intended to be illustrative, not limiting. It will beunderstood by one of ordinary skill in the art that various changes inform and detail may be made without departing from the spirit and scopeof the disclosure, including the appended claims and their equivalents.

What is claimed is:
 1. An electronic device comprising: a hinge; afoldable display; a first housing associated with the hinge andincluding a first surface and a second surface opposite to the firstsurface; a second housing associated with the hinge and including athird surface and a fourth surface opposite to the third surface,wherein the electronic device is configured to be folded using the hingefor the first surface and the third surface to face each other; sidemembers, wherein each of the side members comprises an outer sidesurface to form a portion of a side surface of the electronic device;and bezels, wherein each of the bezels is disposed along a portion of anedge of the foldable display and is connected with the respective sidemember; wherein the each of bezels comprises an extension portion and asponge, wherein the extension portion, the sponge and a portion of theedge of the foldable display are overlapped, in a view from outside ofthe electronic device to the first surface and/or the third surface,wherein the sponge is configured to prevent the extension portion of thebezels from coming into contact with a surface of the display due tosagging of the bezels, wherein the electronic device is configured sothat at least two layers of the foldable display differentially sliptoward a respective bezel and/or side member in a space which isprovided between at least a portion of a side surface of the foldabledisplay and the respective bezel so that in a folded state of theelectronic device the side members are spaced apart from respective sidesurfaces of the at least two layers of the display by differentdistances caused by difference in slip amounts among the at least twolayers of the display, and wherein, the electronic device is configuredso that when the electronic device is folded, the portion of the edge ofthe foldable display overlapped with the bezel is increased due to theslip of the foldable display, in a view from the outside of theelectronic device to the first surface and/or the third surface.
 2. Theelectronic device of claim 1, wherein a portion of the sponge is spacedapart from end of the extension portion toward the each of the sidemembers at a second distance, and the second distance is greater than aslip distance of the display.
 3. The electronic device of claim 2,wherein the sponge protrudes toward a portion of the edge of thefoldable display with respect to the extension portion.
 4. Theelectronic device of claim 1, wherein, the electronic device isconfigured so that when the electronic device is unfolded, therespective bezel is spaced apart from the portion of the side surface ofthe foldable display by a first distance, and the first distance isgreater than a slip distance of the foldable display.
 5. An electronicdevice of claim 1, wherein a portion of the sponge is spaced apart fromend of the extension portion toward the each of the side members at asecond distance, and the second distance is greater than a slip distanceof the display.
 6. The electronic device of claim 5, wherein the spongeprotrudes toward a portion of the edge of the foldable display withrespect to the extension portion.
 7. The electronic device of claim 5,wherein the end of the extension portion is spaced apart from theportion of the edge of the foldable display.
 8. The electronic device ofclaim 1, wherein the extension portion is configured to maintain a gapwith the foldable display in an unfolded state and/or the folded stateof the electronic device.
 9. The electronic device of claim 1, whereinthe extension portion is integral with respective sponge.
 10. Theelectronic device of claim 1, wherein the sponge is disposed between atleast the extension portion and the foldable display along the extensionportion.
 11. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein a hardness of thesponge less than a hardness of the foldable display.
 12. The electronicdevice of claim 1, wherein a part of the extension portions is inclinedtoward the foldable display.
 13. The electronic device of claim 12,wherein the inclined part of the extension portions is formed betweenend of the extension portion and the sponge.
 14. The electronic deviceof claim 1, wherein the sponge comprises a material different from amaterial of the extension portions, and wherein a hardness of the spongeis less than a hardness of the foldable display.
 15. The electronicdevice of claim 12, wherein the sponge includes a double injectionmolded support portion or a bonded support portion.
 16. An electronicdevice comprising: a foldable housing; and a display, wherein thefoldable housing comprises: a hinge; a first housing connected to thehinge and including a first surface oriented to face a first directionand a second surface oriented to face a second direction opposite thefirst direction; a second housing connected to the hinge and including athird surface oriented to face a third direction and a fourth surfaceoriented to face a fourth direction opposite the third direction,wherein the first surface and the third surface are configured to faceeach other when the electronic device is folded; and first and secondside surface members surrounding at least a portion of the first housingand the second housing, respectively, and wherein the display hasductility and is configured to be movable with the first surface and thethird surface, wherein the first and second side surface members includefirst and second bezels, respectively, wherein the first and secondbezels are disposed along respective edge portions of the display,wherein the first and second bezels include, in an area above the firstsurface and/or the third surface of the foldable housing, respectivefirst and second extensions that are respectively spaced apart from atop surface of the edge portions of the display, and respective flexiblesupports disposed between the top surface of the edge portions of thedisplay and the extensions, wherein the corresponding extensions,flexible supports, and edge portions of the display overlap each otheras viewed from outside of the electronic device in a viewing directiontoward to the first surface and/or the third surface, wherein thedisplay includes a plurality of layers, wherein the electronic device isconfigured so that (i) in an unfolded state of the electronic device,the side surface members are spaced apart from respective side surfacesof the display by at least a first distance, and (ii) in a folded stateof the electronic device, the side surface members are spaced apart fromthe respective side surfaces of the plurality of layers of the displayby a plurality of slip distances caused by difference in slip amountsamong the plurality of layers of the display, and wherein the electronicdevice is configured so that in the folded state of the electronicdevice, a first layer of the plurality of layers of the display has afirst radius of curvature, and a second layer of the plurality of layersof the display has a second radius of curvature which is greater thanthe first radius of curvature, and wherein the first distance is greaterthan the plurality of slip distances of the plurality of layers of thedisplay.
 17. The electronic device of claim 16, wherein the flexiblesupports comprise sponge material.